February 28
Two years after being sent home from Bangkok due to Covid 19 (Wuhan), we again travelled. We had to have two doses of vaccine and a booster. We flew to Montreal with a planned flight to Miami. To enter the U.S. we had to have a PCR test within 24 hours of trave. We spent a couple of hours on the phone and videoing ourselves using the nasal swab while being watched over the phone. We got approval. We left home at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, to the airport, to the plane, landed early in Montreal. We went to the assigned gate, sat down and waited about 30 minutes. Then the gate was changed to far away. We had to walk a long way to catch the flight.
Several hours later, landed, went to the gate waiting for our ride. Nearly an hour later, a long walk to different baggage area as we had been given the wrong carousel information. Walked to a different baggage area where our car and driver were patiently waiting (he arrived after the changed gate was posted but we could not see the change in the original baggage area). We arrived at our hotel about 1:00 a.m. exhausted and it was already Monday.
We woke and off to eat breakfast. Then, back to the transport to be taken to the cruise terminal. Again, another PCR test. About 1 ½ hours later, we were cleared to board the ship. We were still exhausted from travelling and lack of sleep but, we wanted to help our bodies adjust to the time change as quickly as possible. So, we stayed up, unpacked and went to dinner. After dinner, we went to the cruise presentation “Red Pirates of the Caribbean” which was entertaining and very interesting.
March 1 : Costa Maya
Had to wake early (considering the three hour time difference). We went on a tour to Costa Maya, Mayan Ruins. It was a long drive but the ruins were impressive and amazing they could be build so long ago.
March 2 : At Sea
March 3 : Harvest Cay, Belize
We took a long walk into a small village. There we caught a tour boat away to the Monkey River, 30-40 minutes, then up the river with local guides pointing out a variety of birds, flowers and trees. We had time for a walk in the jungle where we saw a troop of Howler Monkeys. Again, an informative and interesting tour.
March 4 : Roatan Island, Honduras
We visited a small island (77km by 8 km). We can see the reef and fish from our balcony. The tour included a van ride to West End Village where we walked the length of the town and had “Malala” (a great cold drink) served by a fun waiter named Elvis. Next we drove to the Hanging Echo Bridges where we crossed seven suspension bridges. Next we drove to West Bay Beach were we ate lunch (a great seafood platter), relaxing in the shade looking at the ocean. Then, travel back to the ship and dinner at Chartreuse, the fancy restaurant on the ship.
Next Stop Portugal & Spain